By Halle Brindley – Opinion Section Editor

Buff. I’m not talking about you, big guy (pan to Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson). No, no, no, I’m talking about the first time you get to pull out your shorts before summer. Okay, maybe not the first, some of you warm-blooded vampire aura – I’m sidetracking! I’m also not talking about the 4’ inch inseam khaki shorts, I’m talking about movies.

Short ones. Like a maximum of six minutes short. This is perfect for when you want to watch a movie, but only want to watch a little bit of it. This year I have heard that the directors are like Jimmy Fallon and Ryan Seacrest status… Self-promotion! Claudia Leonforte and I, Halle Brindley, will be the directors of this year’s Bishop’s University Film Festival.

Why make a film? I don’t know, to show off?

Seriously though, it’s fun. I made a ridiculous film last year, Hallelujah, that got paired with a film, Echoes of Independence, about the sweetest elderly lady in the documentary category. That on its own was worth the attendance and you know what? I’m going to gatekeep the reason why! But I feel it’s my civic duty to disclose the entire screening and all films from the 2024 film festival are on YouTube, so you can watch previous films there. However, I do have to say the in-person experience is superior.

Registration for BUFF closes on Jan. 31. Don’t freak out! It’s just to say that if you’d like to make a film, the actual deadline for films will be later in March. Mar. 28 to be specific. You can find the link to register in our Instagram bio (@bufilmfestival) or on our Facebook.

I’m personally an iPad kid for life, so don’t fret if you don’t own the most top-notch film equipment. You can 1) rent film equipment at Bishop’s, even booking the editing suites if you want, 2) use your equipment, including that cute little digital camera you got off Facebook Marketplace, or 3) use your phone. You could even film on your DS. Anything goes!

As for what you should focus on in your short film, once said by lyrical genius, Addison Rae, “the world is your oyster” (“Aquamarine”). There are four categories submissions are put into: narrative, non-narrative, documentary and research. Creators can submit up to four films, one under each category.

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, BUFF is the Bishop’s Oscars. Come on, don’t you want to be the Christopher Nolan or the Sophia Coppola of Bishop’s University (and this is where you pan to the reader smiling and them going “yeah.”)

Are you more of a watcher and less of a filmmaker? We encourage viewers to attend as audience members, both new and returning patrons. Whether you know everything about movies or you have only seen The Lorax, BUFF is an event for everyone, where students of any major can submit or watch a film.

I’ll see you at the cinema (Centennial Theater) this April.